Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-12-31
Great. feathery flakes OF snow had

Decn IaIt ny lOE sOihS tllut' SLoNAh ~
first but as the wind moaned and
sighed through the trees, they came
down faster and faster. touching the
little desolate boy with a clinging
caress and tangling themselves in his
curls. 4 sob rose in Jerry's throat,
followed bv another and another. How
far il seemed, and how tired he was!
The tears that courSed down ms face
were wiped away with one dirty little
hand that rclinquished its hold on the
apple long enough to perform this
service.
Suddenly the sobs ceased and joy
ous exclamation succeeded them.
There lust ahead of him loomed the
spires of the town. The sight gave re-
newed strength and energy TO the
tired little limbs as be hurried on.
A little farther and he was on the
weil-re0embered street with lis pretty
houses, and tasteful grounds; but how
changed! Where were the flowers,
and leaves, and birds? Nothing but
wilhered stalks, bare branches and a
CARPET of soft. white snow where the
happy children had played in the
summer sunshine.
Poor Jerry spirit sank again. How
altered every thing was, and how cod
and desolate. The snow fled through
| the rents IN his garments, and he shlv-
cred as he walked along.
Tempting odorS of Christmas feasts
! flOated out to this lonely waif, as he
walked up one street, and down anoth-
er, only accenling his hunger, and in
ducing another furtive peep at the
treasures in his pockets I'll eat 'em
bve-an' bye" he murmured.
The winter twilight fell dusk and
drear. and lights began TO glimmer and
! flash from windows and street corners,
and Jerry for little while forgot his
, hunger and fatigue. in watching the
| slei~hs. with their laughing occupants
and clinging bells, dash by. 1t was so
new and strange that he vaguely won
dered if he shouldn not soon awaken and
find it all a dream.
4 little farther down the street g
magnificent church raised its imposing
mass towards the sky. and as the chilC
drew near, glad chimes rang merrily
from its towering steeple. Jerry
paused in the sheltering shadow of {
tree opposite and watched W tn wonder
inc ewes the worshippers enter the edi
ic,. How beautiful the light lOoket
streaming through the stained glas
windows, and falling in rainbow TINT
upon the snow. What visions of love
illness the women were in their costly
robes of fur! And the men, how brav,
and grand they appeared to the littl
outcast.
Creeping nearer Jerry stood spell
bound listening TO the sweet sound!
that swelled out on the frosty all
Peace on EARTH" joyously chante'
the choir, and the deep, rich tones o
the organ rolled and swelled such
volume of delicious harmony that tn
boy held his breath in eagerness I
, catch every note. The music ceased
the massive doors were closed and Jel
: rv-poor, trembling, homeless Jerry
= was left like a lost soul shut out {
Paradise.
! The weary child reused himself frol
the numbness creeping over his frame
! and started on. Reaching 4 quietC
, street he was attracted by brilliar
, !. chit in the windows of palatial res
: dence.
; Softly opening the gate, he stOI
9 across the lawn and mp TO one of th
e windows Never in his widest dream
s had Jerry conceived such magnificent
f as met his aston shed gaze. Tho mo
n sy carpet, the cleaning pictures al
: marbles. the velvet chairs, and howe
: everywhere, filled him with delight'
c surprise, almost painful in its intensit
! .rve found 'em. oh! I've found 'er
k Ma m GOodsell's angels" he Joyful
n exclaimed rs he saw some little ch
n dren dancing around an object that ii
n ed him with amaze. Ii was only
V Christmas tree. very pretty and brig
with its tapers. and tinsel, and cUnnll
s TOYS. but to Jerry it represented .
e sum total of the worlds beauty. /
:. breath came in quick gasps and I
n precious apples were forgotten as
e clasped his benumed hands in ecstac
:. This must be heaven. poor Jer
a thought, and Mann GoOdsell had n
% described one half its beauties.
e Crouching close to the window
q watched the merry games within. !
m hunger and WEAKNESS was forgotten
o he saw the little ones and heard th
n Joyous laughter.
is The snow still fell, and wove W
ne magic fingers fairy garment on
m ,Jerry's tattered coat. The lights or;
ualIy grew dim. and the children's m
id nv shouts sounded as if far away. j
tn rvs face sank forward until one te
l. stained cheek rested upon the cold W
ne dow ledge. A delicious. dreamy Ii
e. guor crept over him, while strains
st distant music welled its caden
i'll through his brain. The children sw'
ed into an innumerablc host, seen
re TO beckon him to join their numt
his eyelds grew heavy-drOOped.
S, at last YEARLY closed; the little star
,d BODY fell heavily forward. and the
H. apples rolled out and were lost in
n snow.
1t.
The next evenings papers contain
ST. this paragraph.
IT. "A little pauper ran away from
nc poor-house yesterday. and was TO
dead in Judge Browns yard this mC
lg ing" But we know that Jerry
ts' found Ma m Goodselrs Angels"
ht-